Container forming apparatus



Oct. 21, 1952 c PALMER.

CONTAINER FORMING APPARATUS s Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 9, 1948 l ll IN V EN TOR. Charles 5 Elmer Oct. 21, 1952 c. E, PALMER 2,614,466

CONTAINER FORMING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 9, I948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR. 45 I 4 Charles E Rzlmer Oct. 21, 1952 c. E. PALMER CONTAINER FORMING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 9, 1948 "Ill/Ill,

INVENTOR. Charles E Hzlmer MW ga Patented Oct. 21, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT creme; I 7 2,614,466 I CONTAINER FORMING APPARATUS Charles E. Palmer, Gilenview, 111;, 'assignor, by mesne assignments, to Package: Machinery Company, East Longmeadow, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application October 9, 1948, Serial No. 53,693

6 Claims;

, This application is I concerned with mechanism" for forming a paperboard container whichmay" be in the formof a tray (i. e.,' a box without a cover) or, a box having a cover hinged to one of its-sides.'.' The main objects of the invention'are toprovideapparatus' of a relatively simple character which will emciently fold .a preformed blank into container form; to provide such apparatus which will be operative to eiiect engagement of look} ing' elements provided'as apart of the container structure to lock the same in setup condition; and, 'in general, it is the object of this invention to provide an improved container forming apparatus of the character indicated.

Other objects and advantages of the inven-' tionwill be understood by reference to the following specification and accompanying drawings (3 sheets) wherein there is illustrated ap-' paratus' embodying a selected form of the invention, and a blank whiohthe illustrated ap-; paratdsis" adapted to fold into container form.

' In'the drawings:

Fig. l is afrontelevation, portions being, however, shown in'secti'onfto more clearly illustrate certaindetails; 7

Fig. 2 is a section corresponding in part to Fig. 1, but showing "certain, parts inchanged p'sitions; j n y Fig, 3 is a section approximately onthe plane representedby the line 3+-3 "of Fig. 2; I

Figs. l and are sectional'illustrations similar to Fig. 2 but showing successively changed positions of the parts; I p l p "Fig. '6is an elevation of certain operating linlrage appearingat the left-hand end of Fig. 1;

Fi s a r m il a i a ape board blank which" is adapted tofbe folded and lockedin tray form by theillustrated apparatus; l Fig.8 is aplan ofthe'di'e plateportion ofthe epv re e Fi Q e e nt ei l j p e d proximately bythe. line Be -'9 of Fig. 1'.

The. b an l tra d in Fi 7 s a erb rd having a central bottom panel I, opposite end wall'panels 2 and 3, and opposite side wall panels [and 5. The end panels 2 and 3 are extended was to also provide inner end wall panels 6 and I respectively and bottom panels 8 and 9 respect-Welt f I Theside wall panels 4 and 5 are respectively integrally,interconnected;at theirends tothe ad-. jacent ends of theend panels z' and 3 by corner gussets l0, Thsefjqbrner gussets are connected to die 'sidandendwall'panels by old lines or creases and they are provided with fold lines! If;

extending diagonally outwardly from the respem tive corners of 'theibo'ttom panel I. "The side wall panels 4 and 5 also have extension sections]? and; l3 respectively which are refolded overthe inside faces of the side walls, andadhesively or'other wise secured thereto.' The inner sidewall sections l2 and I3 may be folded and glued in place as a step in the production of the blank so*that' the blanks are delivered to the container-roil ng ing apparatus the condition Fig. '7;

Blanks such asshown in Fig. 7,"are folded "into tray forming condition by first folding the' two ply side walls upwardly, folding the end wall panels 2' and 3 upwardly, the cornergussetsll being folded inwardly upon themselves and caused to lie against theinsidefacesbf'theendpanels 2 and 3. In the construction shown, the side walls are intended to be folded'tcipefpendicular relation to the bottom panelf The endl wall extensions 6 and l are then folded-down; wardly into inwardly overlapping relation to the inside-of the end walls 2 and 3 andinwai'dlyf over the folded gussets' H] which are accordingly housed between the end wall panels 2 and "Get: one end and the endwall-panels 3 and -1 atj'the other end of the tray. The endwall extensions" and 9 are folded relativeto the'pan'els 6 andjl to lie flat against the bottom panel adjacent'the endsof the tray; -.A s"indicated in Fig. Lthje'nd wall panels fi and 8 fat oneend of theblank and the'end wall panels 1 and 9 at the other end 'the're of are extended slightly at the ends of the panel's,

shown in: Fig. "7 into trays as described, comprises;

a, mandrel. l4 and a die plate structure I 5 through which the mandrel is passed aroundthe mandrel.

.Themandrel may be'of anysuitable mama-f tion, the length andwidth of the mandrel cor-i responding substantially to the inside length and width of the tray to be formed. In this instance, the mandrel has a bottom plate I 6, end plates H, I! and side ,plates [8, [8 (see Figs 1 and 91.1.

These parts are suitably formed as an integral unit or as separate, units rigidly united by weldmg or otherwise. The mandrel so formedis'car ried by a rod' 19 which is vertically reciprocatably? mounted in any suitable manner." N6 invention as is best indicated in Figs. 8 and 9 which are spaced apart a distance substantially corresponding to the outside width of the receptacle to be formed, said width beinggreater, than the corresponding width of the mandrel by an amount only slightly greater "than: the thickness of the side walls so as to provide room for said side walls between the sides |.8,,.I.8 ofthe. mandrel and the side edges 22, 22 of the die plate opening. These die plate edges 22, 22 are the side wall forming edges l'Of the die plate and 'serve;in cooperation with themandrel, to. fold the-si1e;:-Wa1ls of the blank-upwardly over the sides of theanandrelas an incident to the movement :ofsthelatter-downwardly through the lie plateopening.

The --.die pl ate-2ll may, of course, be in the form of asingleor unitary plate having the openinggzl =cut therein and whether made of separate bars or =a.single.plate, it is of course suita-bly;supp'orted by a supportingframe structure whichwis not herein illustrated. Such supporting frame may include parts on which the endportionsof-the die plate rest.

.A- carton blankis :initially delivered into .120? sition overthe die' plate-with the bottom panel I properly registered with-the .die plate open.-

l4downwardly through the die plate .opening.

2|- 1-causessthesidewall panels 4 and l.2:at one side landa5 -and=l3aat the opposite side to .be

folded-nearly to right angular upwardly;ex--

tending-relation .to the bottom .panel I (as appears rill .Figs. 2.and 3. .As bestshown in Fig. 3, the. die ,plate opening is preferably of such width; that the side -,walls willremain in slightly outwardlyninclined .position rather than being folded toiull right angular position. When the side wall panels-arefolded upwardly as-indicated,-.-the-co-rner gussets II] at each endof each sidewall are also foldedupwardly by the. said folding edges 22 of the dieplate- End wall folders =comprising blocks or platelike elements 24 are disposed at :a level somewhatbelow the level of the die plate 20, said end :folders =being .b-olted as shown to brackets 25, 25 which traverse the die plate openingand are anchored .at their ends to :the. respective overlying portions of. the die plate ordie plate bars-20. The brackets-25 bridge the opening. in the ,die plate 20 -and have central portions thereof offset downwardly from the plane of said die plate.20 .to support the folder blocks 24 at. the illustrated downwardlyspaced level with reference totheplane of the die p1ate.2ll..

The folders 24 have inner ends 26 disposed in suchrelation-to the ends of the mandrel. that as :the .mandrel descends between saidedges 26 the endwallpanels 2 .and..3 will be folded upwardly .over the ends. 1 1, 11 .of the. mandrel.

Theicorner gussets l0. areJfol-ded upon themselves -on. their. diagonal fold -.lines- I I vas an in-. cident. to. the foldin .of. the. .end. walls 2 and. .3

The

'4 to upright position. To facilitate such automatic folding of the gussets, they are initially buckled inwardly along their said diagonal fold lines II, II. Such initial breaking or buckling of the gussets on the fold lines II is effected by means of pins, such as represented at 21, which are seated-in and :project from'lthe folding ,.e.dges,.22 of the die .plate 2.0.. The projecting pins 21 are so located in said die plate edges as "to engage the gussets H1 in alignment with the diagonal fold lines H therein when the side walls are' folded upwardly as shown in Fig. 3.. These. -projecting-pins extend inwardly beyondthe planeshf the respective folding dges 22 as shQwn;in;Fig..' -.3 and are therefor operative .t0.1f01'd:fth.8 :centralportiom of said gussets inwardly beyond .t'he ..planes of the initially folded side walls; The normal resiliency of the paperboard or the normal resistance thereof to being folded upwardly as shown, prevents the side ..wall panels -fromicllowing the gussets inwardly and enables. .the projecting pins :2 1 toefiect said-bucklin Continued downward movement of the mandrel [4 from the position represented in Figs. 2 and..3-serves. .toeffect folding of .the end walls 2 and. 3 as. al-readyexplained .and incidentally thereto, .foldingof ithe cornergussets in upon thems-elves...and.Iinwardlyinto face to face re-- lation to the .respective end walls 2 and 3.. In'

Fig. the receptacle is shown in the lowest positionito Whi-chit'is carried on the mandrel I4, themandrel havingbeen .withdrawn, leaving the receptacle. .with..its. end lwallextensiom 16 and 8. 1 at one end and] .andfl at. its other end exoffset outwardly ,from. .thefolding edges 22 (see Fig. 3) and disposed at outwardly flaring angles.

to .form ,a funnel-like.entranceafor guiding the receptacle into .the space betweentheholders, and for completing .the foldi g .of ,the side walls 4 and. 5 from the-slightly, outwardly flaring position shown in Fig. 3 to substantiallyperpendicular relation. to the bottom panel .ofthe, receptacle. .Asshown inFigs. 3 and 9, the inside. faces.of ,theholders -.28 immediately below the flaring mouth portions 1.30 .are ,disposed some- I what .closer togetherthan the folding. edges 22 of the dieplate, the spacingeof these face portions being made in accordance with ,thevoutside widthof the receptacleto beformed. As'shown in Fig. 9, thelower portions ofthe-inside. faces ofthe holders 28-lare-again.slightly recessed by the .provision of .angularly disposed. outwardlyoffse-t faceportions-Bl which provide recesses in-,

to which theside wallsv .of. the--receptacle may springoutwardly. Horizontal shoulders 32 formed :in theholders 28 at the vupper:-ends of the recessed faces 3 I constitute abutments which are .engagedby. the upper edgesof the receptacle side walls. to: prevent the-receptacle from -followingthe mandrel upwardly-out of the die.str.ucture whenv the, mandrel. is retracted.

The ,end .-folders. 2 4 are. 5.0..8112tdedv fromieach,

folded position-.iduring themovement. of the receptacle sci-c466 time: saga operate itoffold the end walls [and 3 fand'the respective extensions thereof to substantially perpendicular rlationto the, bottom'panel l of the receptacle. Thebrackets25 which support said end folders are spaced out: wardly-fromfthe, planes of the receptacle end walls and rotatably-support folders 33,- 33 which are initially disposed in substantially vertical position as fshown in Figs; 1 and 4.. Also as shown inthesefigures, these folders 33 are located beneath portions of the folders 24 which project towardeach other from the respective supporting brackets 25. These folders 33 are carried by bars] 34 which have alignedend portions35 offset from 'the normal axis of the bars and suitably journaled in bearingbrackets or bosses indicated to the positionQi n which itwou'ld leave races-f tacle or tray in thepositionshowninFig.4.

cure or other stationary parts of the apparatus.

As scenes the cross arm pins-3S" reach the-upper 'ends of-theslotted connectir'ig rod portions 4Q,

a the latter will be'nioved upwardly against the at 36 secured to or formed on the brackets outwardly oftheside wall holders t8. The axis of- -eachmounting shaft issubstantially in register with the fold line between the side wall 2 or 3 and'its extension 6 or I, so that the folders 33 are rocked about an axis substantially coinciding with the lines on which the extensions 6 and 1- are folded. I

After "the mandrel has been retracted, the folders 33 are rocked substantially 180 from their initial positions as shown in Fig. 4 to their folding positions substantially as shown in Fig. 5. Suitable allowance may, of course, be made in the positioning of the opera'tiveface of the folders 33 for the thickness of thespaper stock of the blank which'is folded-and for the thickness of the .foldedgussets l0 over which the end wall extensions are folded as shown in Fig. 5.

Folding movement may be imparted to the folders 33 by any suitable means. However, it is convenient and economical to effect this movement automatically as an incident to the retraction of the mandrel I8. To that end a cross arm 31 is secured to the mandrel post l9 and connecting rods 38, 33 have their upper ends connected to the'opposite ends of thecross arm by means of pins 39 secured to the cross arm and slotted extensions '15!) formed on or secured to said 'con-. nesting rods 38. The lower ends of said connecting rods are screw threaded, as indicated at 4| (Fig. 6) and suitable eye end pieces 42 are screwed onto said threaded rod ends. Lock nuts 43' may be provided for locking the'eye ends 42.

in selected position of adjustment on the rods. The lower ends of the connecting rods are connected by means of pivot pins 44 to the free ends of rock arms 45 which are suitably pivotally mounted as indicated at 46 on the outside of one of the side wall holders 23 (seaFigLQ).

The free ends of the arms 65 are connected by links 41,. to the free-ends of rock arms 48 which are, pinned, as indicated at 49 or otherwisesecured to an extension of one of the pivot shafts 3.5, of each of the folders 33... As shown, the

, associated arms 45 and 48 are arranged in substantially parallel relationship with their lengths extending substantially perpendicularly from a plane or line passing through the pivot axes of both arms when the folders 33 are in their initial or open position. v

The rock arms 48 are so much shorter than the rock .-arm;45;that 90 of rocking movement impartedto the longer rock arm 45 will be transformed into substantially 180" of rocking movement of the shorterrock'arm 48 whereby the folder 33 will be correspondingly rocked 180.

, As already explained, the end folders 33 are' in their upwardly extending positions as shown in :Figs. '1 and 4 when the mandrel I4 is lowered tension of the springs ill to thereby impart up i wardrocking movement to the arms 45 and-lupward and inwardi rocking. movement to: the shorter arms 48. Suohmovement of the arms 48 is, of course, transmitted to. the respective folderisupporting bars 34 .so' that the folders-13 are rockediinwardlyt andfdowniwardly to fold! the2upstanding endr-wall extensions 6 and as shown in Figsn i and'5: Whennthe endiwall ex tensions are: folded to .the position shownin Fig."

5'; they will be locked in that position by engagemerit of their projecting end .portionswith the" endsof. the innerplies 12 and. I3 of the side walls :Incident to-the'foldin'g of said end wall plies B and l. inwardly...and downwardly, the extensions 8 and .9? will. also. be: folded inwardly overithe' bottom wall of the receptacle. This occurs auto-" maticallyi'because the plies/6 and"!- are of the same depthiasfthe end walls 2 and 3' andthe folders 33 are of such-.edepth' thatsai'd extensions will :necessarily be" folded under said folders by engagement .with "the bottom-panel" i as shown in'Fig.5. 1.

- When the' mandrel sta'rts its ma downward movement, thespring's 50 serve to c'ause theconnecting rods '38Tto'move downwardly in unison withith'e mandrel Before the mandrel enters the die, or at leastfbefore the mandrel reaches the zone of operation of the end folder's'33 inthe die structure, the end foldersiwill'thereby be automatically returned to'their initial, upwardly e'x tending positions as shown in Figs, 1 andj' lfi Theni during thefi'nalfportion of the downward movement of the mandrel in'the die" structure the cross arm pins 39 will move idly along the slots inthe 'connecting rod portions 40 while the said connecting rods and end folders remain stationary. Upon retraction of, the fmandrel, the.

end-folding operation againo'ccurs as already Er-By-- actuating the endfolders-33Ifrom the drel in the manner explained, proper timing. of the folder operation is easily attained and when once attained requires no adjustment or care to maintain the required operating relationships.

It is, of course, possible to actuate the folders 33 by cam mechanism or by electrically energized means, such devices being of course suitably timed with reference to the travel of th'e'mandrel.

The'illustrated arrangement is, however, pre-,

ferred because of its comparative simplicity and certainty of operation. Various other changes saidpairs of Wa11;pB,IllS, comprisinga. die strucrture;:;a;:reoiprooa1ly mounted mand el means for effecting reciprocation of said mandrelin operative,relationto said die structure ,to thereby panel ;of ;the blank,-rnovablev folders in said die,

structure-for engaging the outer faces of said wallgextensions. and ,folding the same inwardly over theinsideof therespective walls from which they extend, and, actuating mechanism for said foldermrsaid actuating. mechanism Comprising a;

member-:movably mounted onsaid die structure, and means 1operatively connecting said part to said mandrel foractuation as an incident .to re.- traction-of said mandrel from said die structure.

f2...tAppara-tus for-folding into carton-form, a.

blank having a bottom panel, two relatively angularlydisposed pairs of side wall forming panels, and endextensions on thefree edges of one of said .pairsof wall panels, comprising die structure. and :a. reciprocating mandrel movable throughsaid die structure to press said blank through/the. die structure, said mandrel and die structure having cooperating parts operativeas aniincident tothe movement of the mandrel and blankxthrough said die structure to fold the wall panels f. :the blank to angular, container wall forming relation to the bottom panel of the blank, foldersapivotal-ly mounted in said die structure for;r.-rotary movement through an arc of approximately;-180 for engagingthe outer faces ofsaid wall extensions-and folding said extensions inwardly over the inside of the respective walls fromrW-hich :they extend, and actuating mechanismfor :saidzfolderscomprising rock arms .rigid with ;said 1 folders, elongated I rock arms respec-.

tively associated with said'first mentioned rock arms,"links interconnecting the fre ends of said associated mock-arms, connecting rods each having' an ,end pivoted to one of saidelongated rock arms and itscther end provided with a pin and slot connection to said mandrel, and spring means resiliently holding said-folders in starting position, the arrangement beingsuch that asv an incidentgtc a -terminal portion of the retractive movement of ,the mandrel, said elongated rock arm willbe rocked through an arcofapproximately, 90, said elongatedrock-arm being ofsuch len threlativeto its associatedrock arm that the 90 of movement imparted to the elongated rock,,arm will be ,-transf ormed into substantially 180. of movement of its associated arm and the folder connected thereto.

3..Apparat,us for foldinginto carton form, a blank having a bottom panel, two relatively angularlydisposed pairs of side wall forming panels, and end extensions on the free edges of one ,of .saidpairs of wall panels, comprising ;a die structure and a reciprocating mandrel movable. throughsaid die structure to press said blankthrough the die structure, said mandrel anddiestructure having cooperating parts operative.,.as an incident to the movement of the mandrel and blank through saiddie structure to fold the wall panels of the blank to angular, container wall forming relation to the bottom panel of the blank, folders pivotally mounted in said, die structure for rotary movement through an arc of approximately l --for engaging the outen face o 1* aid: wa 1 -exten 1 ns-.-an dins.

said extensions ,inwardly over the inside pf the respective ,walls from which they extend, and

actuating-mechanism for said folders comprising rockarmsrigidwith said folders, elongated rock,

arms associated with andin substantially par:

allelrrelation to said first mentionedrock arm5,

links interconnecting the free ends of, said associatedrockanns, connectingrods each having an end pivoted to one of said elongated ,rock arms and its other endyprovided with a pin and slot connection ;to said mandrel, and spring meansresilientlyholdingsaid folders in starting q t o r h ;a ra eme t b -S h t a s an nc denttue erm a po on. Qf..t e a t v v ment .o .-.th .mandre lsa elongated 1.1mm; arm will be rocked: through an arc of ;appro xi ma fl t saidelo-nsaWd-r c a m ei s;of...si ehenethrelat r rt o ia dwrcq e math the of movement imparted to -the elongated rock arm will be transformed into substantially ..o ove ento i o ia d ame the. folder connected thereto.

4. Apparatus for folding into container form, a blank havinga bottom panel and two, relatively angularly disposed pairs of side wall forming panels, comprisingsa' die structur anda mandrel movable through said die structure to presssaid blank through said die structure'said mandrel and die structure having cooperating parts operative as an incident; to the movementyof the mandrel and blank through said die structure, to fold the wall; panels'of the-blankto angular wall forming relation to the bottom panel of the blank, said die structure comprising a spaced pair of die barsproviding a pair ofspaced edges which constitutefolding edges for folding one of saidpairs of side wall panels, brackets secured to said die bars and having downwardly offset portions bridging the space between said die bars, and folders mounted on said downwardly offset bracket portions and projecting from said brackets toward each, other in a plane spaced downwardly from the plane of said die bars and constituting folders for engaging and folding the other pair of wall panels subsequent to the fold-.

tially corresponding to the distance across one pair of the carton side walls when folded to angular wall forming relationship to said bottom panel, said opposed edgesv constituting folding edges-operative to fold one of said pairs of side wall panels, brackets secured to said die bars and having portions spaced downwardly therefrom bridging the space between said bars, folding blocks mounted on said downwardly spaced portions and having end portions projecting toward each other from saidbrackets and operative to .engage and fold the second pair of side wall panels after the first pair is atleastpartially folded, and rotatable folders pivotally mounted on said brackets and located below the projecting-portions of said folding blocks-so-as to permit the receptacle to-be moved by said mandrel .past said folding blocks and into-thespace between the opposed pivoted folders, and means for rocking said folders through an arc of approximately 180 to fold said end extensions inwardly and downwardly over the inside of the last folded pair of walls.

6. In apparatus for folding into container form, a blank having a rectangular bottom panel, side wall-forming panels foldably connected to the edges of said bottom panel, and corner gussets connecting the adjacent ends of said side wall panels, the combination of a die, a mandrel movable through said die topass a blank through said die, said die having one pair of oppositely disposed wall folding parts for effectingfolding of oppositely disposed wall panels to containerforming position relative to said bottom panel as an incident to the movement of the mandrel and blank through said die, said wall folding parts having extensions which are operative to effect folding of said gusset portions in unison with the folding of said wall portions, means projecting from said extensions for engaging and. buckling said corner gussets in the direction in which said walls are folded, and a second pair of oppositely disposed wall folding parts operative to fold the other pair of wall panels to containerforming position relative to said bottom panel as an incident to said movement of the mandrel and blank through said die but subsequent to the buckling of said gussets as aforesaid, whereby said gussets are folded upon themselves and into face-to-face relation with the last folded wall as an incident to the folding of the latter, said mandrel having surface portions which cooperate with said second pair of wall folding parts to effect folding of said folded gussets upon themselves as aforesaid and to support said folded gussets for face-to-face engagement by the last folded walls as an incident to the folding thereof as aforesaid.

CHARLES E. PALMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

